Buying a used Quadrafire 3100i

[Wendywoodle]

Hi - I have the opportunity to buy a 7 yo Quadrafire 3100i from a neighbor - house is sold and new buyers don't want to buy the insert. Our houses have a very similar layout (1800sf ranch, open plan, brick open fireplace & hearth w/chimney currently with gas logs). We have been considering a new insert for some time but unable to stump up the $$$ so this seems like an opportunity to jump on. Here are our questions - can you help us with your opinions?

1 - Installation - do we need to find an experienced fireplace installer or could a competent contractor do it? I have read maybe too much here about difficulties caused by failure to consider insulation etc. Anywhere the contractor should look for installation info other than the Quadrafire instructions? I have a great and competent contractor but he has never installed a fireplace insert.

2 - Do you think we should attempt to retrieve the stainless steel liner from the original house or purchase a new one? Chimney is the same height.

3 - How much would you consider a reasonable installation price?

4 - What do you think is a fair price for a well-maintained 7yo Quadrafire 3100i. There is some scorching on the window, though. Asking price is $800 but that seems high to me.

Thanks and looking forward to your comments...... Wendy

 

[granpajohn]

$800 seems pretty fair to me. Inserts are more expensive than the free standing equal. Also, last I checked, QF put a price range on their website. Might be worth looking at. Probably around $2k new.

See if the firebrick is in good condition. Also the baffle. Those are things that break down, and if only lightly used, they would be OK. Of course, the blowers can wear out, and you could check easily that it's working.

As someone who has installed (and "adjusted") a SS liner, I don't know how I would get it back out without damaging it, unless it is uninsulated.

Makes me wonder what the new owner will be doing with that fireplace. The lining/insert process often makes it unusable without repair to damper. Possibly a gas log set would work.

Edit: yeah, here it is: (broken link removed to http://www.quadrafire.com/Products/Wood_Burning/Wood_Model.asp?f=3100Iact)
(Price starts at $2137)

 

[Wendywoodle]

Thanks - the baffle was replaced under warranty this spring and there's a new unused on in place. Will check on the firebrick. Is there a high risk of damaging any of these parts when the unit is moved? The seller is throwing in a cord of seasoned wood, and I'm hoping the new owner might like to relieve me of my gas logs and fireplace surround, so this is looking like a good deal for me. Wendy

 

[granpajohn]

If it had warranty work, then there must be a dealer still working on it. They might be willing to install it for you. The whole install biz depends on your hearth/chimney more so than the insert.

The QF bricks are kinda crumbly; that's why I suggested looking at them. Take them out before moving the thing anyway; not to protect the brick, but to lighten the load. Also get the door, blower, and top shelf off. Saves lots of weight, and nobody ever broke a door or blower that was still at the neighbor's house.

With a true cord of wood, (say $200), it's fair to say you're saving $1400 from a new purchase. If you don't want to install yourself, put that cash toward hiring a sweep or dealer to install and you're set to go.

IMO, other than the blower, gaskets, and baffle, there's not a lot to go wrong with these things. (I hope I'm not leading you astray)

 

[Adk Patroller]

Replacement bricks are not a big issue and easy to do!

 

[BrotherBart]

Replacement bricks are not a big issue and easy to do!

They are a big issue with the "custom" bricks in Quad stoves. Costs a chunk of change. These ain't your grandpa's firebricks.

 

[Adk Patroller]

Replacement bricks are not a big issue and easy to do!

They are a big issue with the "custom" bricks in Quad stoves. Costs a chunk of change. These ain't your grandpa's firebricks.

Our local Quad dealer is a block company and sells them for $10/pair for the ones in the back with the hole cored in them.

 

[BrotherBart]

Our local Quad dealer is a block company and sells them for $10/pair for the ones in the back with the hole cored in them.

Are they the low density, high insulation value pumice bricks that the stoves come with from the factory?

 

[jtp10181]

Replacement bricks are not a big issue and easy to do!

They are a big issue with the "custom" bricks in Quad stoves. Costs a chunk of change. These ain't your grandpa's firebricks.

Our local Quad dealer is a block company and sells them for $10/pair for the ones in the back with the hole cored in them.

The brick with the hole typically is ~$40 MSRP from Quad. It is possible they are buying regular firebrick and drilling their own holes.

Technically you should only use OEM firebricks because that's the way the unit is tested.

Off the record, I have heard from a reliable source there is nothing wrong with using standard firebricks.

Usually a full set of bricks for a Quad unit is $100 - $250 depending on how many have custom cuts and holes in them.

 

[Wendywoodle]

I just found out my local QF dealer http://www.yourplace4.com/medina.html will install for me for $650, which is their price for installing new units purchased from them. So I thought that was a great deal - since they know exactly what they're doing! I'm excited about this deal! Just waiting to hear how much extra they will charge for removing from the old house and bringing it over.

 

[burntime]

Ask how long the install will take and how many people. Ask if they are doing a block off plate.

 

[granpajohn]

WendyW, I think you've been blessed with a good neighbor there. But a good stove dealer too?

To line the chimney with insulated steel; the parts would be about $350 liner+$250 insulation. (Don't know how tall it is...) My guess is the $650 is just labor. Ask him if they wanna line the chimney and what's the cost. Will he have to cut out the old damper? Also, I would not be surprised if the 650 includes grabbing it from the neighbor's place; that doesn't seem so tough.

 

[Wendywoodle]

Hi Granpajohn: The $650 is just for labor - the liner is another $600, so around what you are expecting. We are investigating whether the neighbor's liner could be removed. That would be a bonus. I am still trying to understand the liner insulation issue. Is it standard practice?? I'm sure I could find a discussion about it here.....

 

[Wendywoodle]

sorry for my newbie ignorance....... a block off plate??? I will ask as soon as I know what it is.....!!

 

[begreen]

Here's some reading material for you about block-off plates, aka damper seals

https://www.hearth.com/econtent/index.php/wiki/Why_damper_seal_is_needed/

 

[granpajohn]

This is where I bought my insulation (and liner of course): http://www.chimneylinerinc.com/insulation_kits.htm This explains why to insulate. (Keep in mind: they're trying to sell you insulation. But I found them to be honest.)
Rockford Chimney Supply. I was quite happy with them.
In retrospect, I'm glad I put on the insulation. My short (1 story) chimney is exterior to the house and so the insulation helps it to draft better and stay cleaner. If your chimney is exterior, you should consider it. Also, you may meet someone (possibly on this forum) who will tell you the insulation is required to "meet code". Usually not true. However, if that person happens to be the authority having jusidiction, (AHJ in code talk), then he's right. (The AHJ is always right.)
Of course, with a house similar to your neighbor's, I guess you can just imitate whatever they originally did, unless they were having a draft problem.
Oh, and the block off plate will help the system to make more heat with less wood, if you have exterior chimney. Always desirable, eh?

 

[Dave_1]

sorry for my newbie ignorance....... a block off plate??? I will ask as soon as I know what it is.....!!

A picture is worth a 1,000 words. ;-)

http://www.rumford.com/classicflyerplan.html

 

[BrotherBart]

Wendy, block-off plates are explained here:

https://www.hearth.com/econtent/index.php/wiki/Why_damper_seal_is_needed/